In a very rare offering, a gorgeous ball gown Queen Elizabeth II wore while still a Princess will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders on September 25. Interested bidders may participate in the auction online.

The pink and white silk floral pattern was designed by legendary fashion designer Norman Hartnell, the official Royal Family clothier. The then Princess Elizabeth gown wore the gown to a London party in 1949.  The gown was gifted later the same year to Ms. Kathleen Ward, a telephone operator at Clarence House. In 1961, Ward wrote a Woman’s Own magazine article titled, “How I got to Wear the Queen’s Gown,” in which she recalled the day she was given the gown from her employer, Princesses Elizabeth. The gown measures 17” across the chest and 12” across the waist, to fit a 34-inch bust and 24-inch waist.

Ward was just 18 years old when she landed her operator’s position at Clarence House. She regularly interacted with the future Queen and remembers celebrating with other Clarence House employees when Princess Anne was born. but regularly interacted with the future Queen and was around when Princesses Anne was born. Royal clothing is rarely available to the public, as it is usually donated to charity. As such, the gown is a very rare offering.   

Bidding for the gown begins at $25,000.